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Google facing billions in EU antitrust fines

Photo: Michele Tantussi/Getty Images

Another EU antitrust fine for Google is coming down the pipeline in mid-July over allegations Google has used its Android mobile operating system to beat out rivals, Reuters reports. The European Commission has been investigating the case since 2015.

The big picture: Prior to last year's whopping fine, the last time antitrust regulators financially penalized Google in a meaningful way was in 2011 for $500 million over an advertising disclosure consumer deception violation, which Google settled. That's 10 times less than what these two fines would collectively add up to.

Be smart: To some extent, this fine may be just a drop in the bucket for Google, but it will likely serve as a deterrent to others. Plus, Android powers three-quarters of cell phones in the EU, per Politico.

What they're not saying: Google provided no comment beyond pointing to a blog post from 2016 rejecting the charges.